Wire-rope clamp



M 17, 1931. J. A WAGNER 1,796,738

WIRE ROPE CLAMP Filed Jan. 15,1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Jbhn/I, fi iyner A TTORNEY.

March 17, 1931. j WAGNER 1,796,738

WIRE HOPE CLAMP Filed Jan. 13, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. 1 13 LEM/4. W 226?,

BWMZ AT} ORNEY.

Patented Mar. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN A. WAGNER, 0F DECATUR, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WAGNER MALLEABLE IRON COMPANY, OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION WIRE-ROPE CLAMP Application filed January 13, 1930.

This invention relates to a wire rope clamp by means of which a plurality of wire ropes may be effectively coupled together and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a clamp of such class which may be applied to a. plurality of ropes in a minimum length of time, and which may be manufactured at a relatively low cost, thereby effecting a material saving in the original cost of the clamp as well as in the practical application thereof.

A further object of the invention is to pro- Vide a clamp of the character aforesaid in which a pair of sections are relatively movable longitudinally of the ropes to which the clamp is being applied, and in which a wedging action is had between the sections to clamp the ropes therebetween with such complete effectiveness that only one clamp will be required regardless of the stress to which the ropes may be subjected.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more particularly described, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that the description and drawings are to be taken as illustrative and that the inven tion is intended to be limited only by the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamp in accordance with this invention, showing the same applied to a pair of ropes.

Figure 2 is an end view thereof showing the ropes in section.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 looking at the opposite end of the clamp.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken at a point indicated by the line 44; of Fig ure 2.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken at a point indicated by the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken at a point indicated by the line 66 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a transverse section taken at a Serial No. 420,504.

point indicated by the line 77 of Figure 4. Figure 8 is a top plan of the bottom section. Figure 9 is a bottom plan of the top section. Referring to the drawings in detail, the

numeral 1 indicates a pair of ropes of wire are inclined upwardly from rear to front whereby the thickness of the flanges is gradually decreased from rear to front. Formed in the upper face of the bottom wall 4 is a palr of spaced, longitudinally extending grooves 9 which are provided with diagonally extending ribs 10 which are adapted to seat against adjacent strands of the ropes in order that a maximum surface of the latter may have contact with the walls of the grooves when the ropes are seated within the grooves.

Formed integrally with the bottom wall 4, adjacent each end thereof, is an apertured lug 11 which extends upwardly between the grooves 9. Adjacent each side edge of each lug 11 is a triangular shaped web 12, the outer edge of which is formed integral with the lugs, and the lower edge of which is formed integral with the bottom wall 4;.

The top section 3 is substantially in the form of a flat plate 13 adapted to be slidably received beneath the flanges 6, and is formed in its lower face 14 with a pair of spaced, longitudinally extending grooves 15 for the reception therein of the ropes 1 when the sections 2 and 3 are assembled. of the plate 13 is increased at the side edges thereof in order that the walls of the grooves 15 may be substantially continuous with the walls of the grooves 9 at the sides of the clamp. When the sections 2 and 3 are assembled, the lower face 14 of the plate 13 extends in parallel relation to the bottom wall 4, and the upper face 17 of the plate 13 inclines downwardly from front to rear whereby the thickness of the plate 13 is gradually de- The thickness Ell creased from front to rear with the upper face 17 of the plate 13 and the lower faces 8 of the flanges 6 extending in parallel relation and at an angle to the longitudinal plane of the clamp.

Projecting from the forward end of the plate 13 is a reduced extension 18 which is formed with an apertured lug 19 extending downwardly and terminating in alignment with the lugs 11 longitudinally of the clamp. Extending through the aligned lugs 19 and 11 is a suitable bolt 20, the head 21 of which is adapted to be drawn into engagement with the lug 19 by means of a nut 22 threaded on the opposite end of the bolt 20 and engaging the lug 11 at the rearward end of the clamp.

When it is desired to apply my improved clamp to a pair of ropes, the latter are passed between the flanges 6 of the bottom section 2 into seating position within the grooves 9. The upper section 3 is then placed on the ropes forwardly of the section 2 and forced beneath the flanges 6 at the forward ends of the latter. As the top section 3 is moved relative to the bottom section 2, the top section is wedged against the ropes owing to the parallel relation of the lower faces 8 of the flanges 6 and the upper face 17 of the plate 13, and to the angle of inclination between the faces 8 and 17 with respect to the longitudinal plane of the bottom wall 4, within the grooves 9 of which the ropes are seated. After the top section 3 has been drawn into wedging contact with the ropes, the bolt 20 is inserted through the lugs 19 and 11 and the head 21 of the bolt is drawn into contact with the lug 19 by means of the nut 22. The bolt 20 1s of materially greater length than the sectlons 2 and 3 in order that the nut 22 may be applied with the top section 3 only partially inserted within the bottom section 2. Vhen the nut 22 is applied any possibility of the top section 3 working out of wedging position is prevented.

It is thought that the many advantages of a clamp in accordance with this invention will be readily apparent, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, so long as such changes fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. While in the embodiment shown, the clamp is adapted for application to a single pair of ropes, obviously'the width of the sections and the number of grooves therein, could be increased as desired in order to adapt the clamp for application to as many ropes as might be desired.

What I claim is 1. A clamp comprising, a pair of relatively movable sections having thelr opposing faces formed with opposing grooves, coacting means on said sections for forcing the Walls of the grooves of one section toward the walls of the groves of the other section when the sections are moved relatively toward each other, and means for preventing relative movement of the sections away from each other.

2. A clamp comprising, a pair of relatively movable sections having their opposing faces formed with opposing grooves, coacting means on said sections for forcing the walls of the grooves of one section toward the walls of the grooves of the other section when the sections are moved relatively toward each other, and means for preventing relative movement of the sections away from each other, the grooves of one of said sections being formed with diagonally extending ribs, the walls of the grooves of the other of said sections being smooth.

3. A clamp comprising, a pair of relatively movable sections having their opposing faces formed with opposing grooves for the reception of ropes therein, means on one of said sections to provide a surface extending longitudinally of the ropes and at an angle to the longitudinal plane thereof, means on the other of said sections coacting with the first named means for forcing the walls of the grooves of one of said sections toward the walls of the grooves of the other of said sections, and means for preventing relative movement of the sections away from each other.

4. In a clamp, a bottom section including a bottom wall and a pair of side walls, said bottom wall being formed with spaced grooves for the ieception of ropes therein, inwardly extending flanges formed at the upper edges of the side Walls, said flanges gradually decreasing in thickness from rear to front and having their lower faces inclining toward the longitudinal plane of the ropes from front to rear, a top section including a plate for insertion beneath said flanges and having its lower face provided with grooves for seating said ropes, the upper face of said plate being parallel to the lower faces of said flanges when the sections are assembled, upwardly extending, apertured lugs at the front and rear of the bot tom section, a downwardly extending, aper tured lug at the front of the upper section for alignment with the lugs on the bottom section, a bolt extending through the aligned lugs, and means on the ends of the bolt for coaction with the downwardly extending lug and one of the upwardly extending lugs to prevent relative movement of the sections away from each other.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature hereto.

JOHN A. WAGNER. 

